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No worries for the Seasiders
Roman Bednar
IAN Holloway has paid tribute to Karl Oyston for ensuring the Seasiders will never have the cash problems others have.
The boss was referring to today’s opponents Portsmouth, who won the FA Cup four years ago but now face a winding up order over an unpaid tax bill.
The clubs clash at Bloomfield Road at 5.20pm, in a game screened live on Sky – giving Pool a £100,000 windfall.
It is the type of money Portsmouth are now in desperate need of after severe off-the-pitch problems.
Holloway said: “The overspending of the last few years has finally caught up with Pompey.
“They have maybe paid wages to all of their squad that we wouldn’t even dream of paying. That can get you into trouble.
“They were in the Premier League and they won the FA a few years ago, but look at them now – this is how quickly things can turn.
“But it is such a great club and their fans are so loyal and so real.
“You hate anybody to be in that situation. I had it myself at QPR – it can happen if you don’t manage your club correctly.
“I just hope it doesn’t go under.
“The great news for us at Blackpool, no matter how many supporters might get disgruntled by it, is that this club will never be in that scenario. My chairman won’t allow it and I quite agree with him.
“I want to do well and he does, but the club’s continuation is more important than anything else. You ask Portsmouth fans that now and I’m sure they’d agree.
“Sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for.”
Holloway has told his players who will start tonight’s game, and says he has picked an 11 he believes is best equipped to break down a Pompey side expected to come to Bloomfield Road and play defensively.
Craig Cathcart will step back in after illness. Ian Evatt is available after suspension, while Roman Bednar – ineligible for the midweek FA Cup win at Sheffield Wednesday – is in the squad.
Holloway believes Bednar could be crucial. “I am excited by the addition of Roman because he is a proper aggressive centre forward,” explained the manager.
“Teams at Bloomfield Road have been making it really difficult for us, backing off, thinking we’re going to knock it around in front of them… but I don’t have to do that now.
“I can actually play Gary Taylor-Fletcher, Bednar and Kev Phillips in the middle if I wanted to and go really direct. We haven’t had that option since we got promoted last time with Ben Burgess.”
Pool are in the midst of a terrific run, with six wins and two draws in the eight games since 2012 started.
The manager admits the club is a happy place but warns that no one can get complacent.
“It is nice to see the lads grow in confidence and playing so well, whoever I put in the team,” he added.
“We’ve got a lot of matches coming up, but I don’t mind Tuesday games because I’ve got so many players in my squad. I haven’t got one team in form, I’ve got two teams playing brilliantly.
“I feel we can score late goals because of the options on the bench. The team has belief and that breeds confidence.
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Weather for Blackpool
Wednesday 30 May 2012
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